Pussy Riot members sentenced to two years in jail

Three members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot have been sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.

The judge said that the feminist trio had "cruelly undermined social order" by performing a "punk prayer" criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin at Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral in February.

Prosecutors had called for the members of the group to be imprisoned for three years, but judge Syrova has instead ordered them to serve two-year terms each.

Alyokhina, 24, Tolokonnikova, 22, and Samutsevich, 29, joined other members of Pussy Riot to stage a flash-mob style performance in front of the church alter on February 21.

The performance, which was filmed, featured the band calling on the Virgin Mary to "throw Putin out", enraging the Orthodox Church.

Judge Syrova said that the three Pussy Riot members had offended the feelings of Orthodox believers and shown a "complete lack of respect".

The judge also quoted prosecution witnesses, who had alleged that no anti-Putin song was performed and said that the performance was an act of blasphemy.

"Tolokonnikova, Alyokhina and Samutsevich committed hooliganism - in other words, a grave violation of public order," she said.

Protests have been staged all around the world against the trial of Alyokhina, Tolokonnikova and Samutsevich.

Pussy Riot have also attracted the support of various high profile people since their arrest, including Paul McCartney, Madonna, Martha Wainwright, Bjork and Sting.

The Associated Press agency said that a number of protesters had been arrested today, including ex-world chess champion Garry Kasparov.

Yesterday, Tolokonnikova said that she was "not bitter about being in jail", but added that their imprisonment "serves as a clear and unambiguous sign that freedom is being taken away from the entire country".

Two weeks after the women were arrested, Putin was elected for second term as president.